Gateway Canyons Wellness Weekend

Deborah, I'm so glad on my way back from Telluride Blues and Brews in September I took the back roads for the first time ever and came through Gateway.  I'd stopped to buy somethig at the store there, which was homemade soup and DE-licious!

I'd pulled over to the Spa parking lot since it was after hours for the spa, and the resort grounds are just so pretty and quiet. Deborah came out on her way off to the gym after her workday, and asked if I was there for the spa, which I wasn't, but she said 'want to come in for a tour?'.  SURE!!! I'd been to Gateway Canyons Resort several times over the last four years, initially for a business' overnight Christmas party and then to develop a relationship with those who might want to develop wellness programs collaboratively with Lumigrate.

As with Lumigrate, and all new businesses, things have to build and shift a bit for a while, then "settle in", but I was correct in seeing the resort as a setting for successful health-related events: they'd sold out the resort once for a health-related event promoted or put on by a national, established health magazine. 

I believe Gateway Canyons Resort has now 'settled in'. The buzz around Grand Junction is that the new management company contracted with in 2011 is doing good things so far.  I saw when Deborah gave me the tour how they've reworked a building which was offices to be the spa; the treatment rooms are huge and all have lovely showers in them. It has a really open, calm and informal feel to it and naturally, the views are amazing.

Deborah came from back east in 2011 to be the spa manager before the new company was brought in so she's gotten to be part of that transition. We just 'struck it off' -- she'd even been down to Telluride Blues festival the day before I had! (It was very rainy and snow this year, so I went after the storm was passed... she's BRAVE!)  After having dinner, and seeing how she authentically wants people to be connected to providers and services they are seeking for their well-being, I believe this was all very much 'meant to happen' that she's leading the spa program at Gateway; she has an understanding related to working on people and for their health that is deeper than I had expected for someone working in management for a resort.    

Here's a photo taken by Wendy, our very proficient and fun server at Bin 707 Food Bar, when we got together recently. I haven't run down to Gateway as we'd talked about because Deborah comes into town frequently for shopping and meetings, so we've gotten together up here, but I look forward to getting away to Gateway and will take more photos and share them here in the future. 

Mardy Ross, OTR, Founder, Lumigrate and Deborah Tuminillo, LMT, LE, Spa Manager, Gateway Canyons Resort

Having Lumigrate be a vehicle for connecting people who want to learn/teach each other about health and wellness, or recovering from illness/injury, is very rewarding in general. But this is, to me, has bigger significance! Having people getting together at Gateway Canyons Resort was something I felt from the very first days I was creating Lumigrate with local providers only, who are no longer all part of the center our offices were with -- part of that new organization/change thing I was talking about, above.  The timing of the Christmas party held there in 2007 coincided with when I was looking at the options for me financially and business-wise, as insurance-based occupational therapy was on a downward trend.  I saw the potential of the resort, and felt it was unique in what it offers for retreat, education, sharing and healing.  

I'm just so glad I decided to purchase something you couldn't eat safely while driving last fall so that I met Deborah! Besides, the canyon is SO beautiful, driving through it is to be savored as well.  I was sad to hear they're closing the store and fuel station that has been part of the resort's formative setup.  Having grown up in a small town in rural Colorado, I have an appreciation of having those things in a community, and they have lasting memories -- I have hundreds of people on a Facebook group for where I grew up and our local little rock store with a stuffed three legged chicken and old gas pumps is something we posted about having 'in common'.

Besides, when you think about it -- I did all the usual networking and repetitive following up to form connections with the resort over several years and this has been the connection that 'worked' to get Lumigrate and Gateway collaborating? My stopping to eat a bowl of their homemade soup from their convenience store in the Spa parking lot! It kind of proves that whatever is supposed to happen will, you just have to go through life with your eyes and souls open to what and who comes along!    

Inquire for more details if you're interested in registering for and attending the retreat, space is limited, naturally.  (Though they have an ideal setup for this type of event and room to grow!).  Or just follow the link and look at the neat resort and take a little "electronic vacation" to Gateway Canyons Resort! They're open throughout the year, with some limitations in the winter during the mid-week, so check on what you're wanting to do and go!   

Be well, and as I always say "Live and Learn! Learn and Live Better!! ~~ Mardy